: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum and especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns and three spikelets at each joint of the rachis
also
: its seed used especially in malt beverages, breakfast foods, and stock feeds
Examples of barley in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This popular, affordable blend impressed judges with its complex flavor profile of custard, banana, spiced barley, and candied walnuts.
—
Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
It’s also enriched with barley protein, which can strengthen strands for less breakage and overall damage.
—Jessie Quinn, Glamour, 11 June 2025
There's no medical intervention for the disease besides adhering to a strict diet that avoids any gluten foods containing ingredients like wheat and barley.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 9 June 2025
Some gardeners find success placing a barley straw bale in the water, which releases compounds that naturally prevent algae growth.
—Kelly Roberson, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for barley
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Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
It’s also enriched with barley protein, which can strengthen strands for less breakage and overall damage.
—Jessie Quinn, Glamour, 11 June 2025
There's no medical intervention for the disease besides adhering to a strict diet that avoids any gluten foods containing ingredients like wheat and barley.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 9 June 2025
Some gardeners find success placing a barley straw bale in the water, which releases compounds that naturally prevent algae growth.
—Kelly Roberson, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for barley
Cite this Entry
“Barley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barley. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
barley
noun
bar·ley
ˈbär-lē 
: a cereal grass with flowers in dense spikes
also
: its seed used especially in malt beverages, in foods (as soups and cereals), or as feed for livestock
Medical Definition
barley
noun
bar·ley
ˈbär-lē
: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum, especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns
also
: its seed used in malt beverages and in breakfast foods and stock feeds
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